Perforated projection visors

ABSTRACT

My invention is the perforation of hat visors. Perforated Projection Visors are articles of manufacture that are to be worn on a person&#39;s head. It involves cutting into the visor of a hat. A picture can be perforated through the hat&#39;s visor, allowing it to be reflected onto a person&#39;s face or article of clothing. Plastic is placed into the hat&#39;s visor so that a person can be protected from elements of the weather. The plastic can also be tinted so that the picture can be in color when reflected onto a person&#39;s clothing.

I, Charles A. Christian, claim priority to the provisional application titled Perforated Hat Visors, application No. 60/813,722, filing date of Aug. 21, 2006.

TITLE OF INVENTION

Perforated Projection Visors

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS D413708 Sep. 14, 1999 Schleh D2/869  611909 Sep. 19, 2000 Kawaguchi, et al. 112/103 6023788 February, 2000 McCallum, et al. 2/209.13 4896375 January, 1990 Colucci 2/12 6775934 August, 2004 Gallik, et al. 38/102.2 4292689 October, 1981 Townsend, Jr. 2/12 5960477 October, 1999 Dixon 2/1951.1 6035446 March, 2000 Johnson 2/200.1 6321386 November, 2001 Monica 2/7 6857134 February, 2005 Cowell 2/209.13 6012174 January, 2000 Rech, et al. 2/200.1 6266824 July, 2001 Giansanti 2/200.1 4429420 February, 1984 Wolff 2/175.1 5708983 January, 1998 Cross, et al. 2/171 5557807 September, 1996 Hujar, et al. 2/171.2 5915533 June, 1999 Halle 2/175.5 4261874 April, 1981 Hungerford 524/566 D415604 October, 1999 Schleh D2/869 4525878 July, 1985 Lowe, Jr. 2/209.12 6935761 August, 2005 Vanderschuit 362/106 5548846 August, 1996 Bianchetti 2/209.12 4066731 January, 1978 Hungerford 264/216 6910225 June, 2005 Kovalenko 2/200.3 6618907 September 2003 Morris 24/3.3 6012172 January, 2000 Steffy 2/175.1

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A perforated projection visor is an article of manufacture. It involves perforating designs, logos, words and numbers into the visor of a hat. Through research I have found that there have been no prior attempts to perforate a hat visor, therefore there have been no prior specific problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Perforated projection visors are visors on hats that have a design, word, logo or number cut through them. The perforated hat visor allows the design, word, logo or number to reflect onto a person's face or clothing, giving it the advantage of simply having the design, word, logo or number on a hat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a hat with a perforated visor.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof with a clear transparency tint inserted into top perforated portion of visor.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof with a trim material placed along the perimeter of the perforated portion of the visor.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof showing that a liner, tint and trim will be inserted into the perforated portion of the visor.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view thereof with the liner inserted into the perforated portion of the visor.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof with a clear transparency tint placed onto the bottom perforated portion of the visor.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view thereof with a trim material placed along the perimeter of the perforated portion of the visor.

FIG. 12 is a top elevational view thereof of a completed perforated visor.

The rear of the hat with a perforated visor is flat and unornamented and therefore is not drawn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The title of my invention is Perforated Projection Visor, which is an article of manufacture. It involves cutting through the visor of any style of hat. There have been no prior attempts at perforating hat visors. In the past hats have been manufactured with designs, logos, words, numbers or images embroidered on the tops of hat visors only. The advantage of having a perforated projection visor is that it allows the design, word, logo, number or image to be reflected onto a person's face or clothing, thus expanding the use of the design, word, logo, number or image. FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 of the drawings will show how the perforation into the visor will allow the reflection to happen.

For the purpose of filing this patent and for simplicity, I have used the shape of a circle as the design in my drawings to show how a completed hat visor will look. In FIG. 1 of my drawings you will see a front elevational view of a circle perforated into the visor of a hat. FIG. 2 of the drawings show a left side elevational view of the perforation while FIG. 3 shows a right side elevational view of the perforated visor. FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the perforated hat visor while FIG. 5 shows the bottom plan view of the visor.

FIGS. 6 through 12 show how and where materials are placed into the perforated visor. These figures are mentioned when describing how to manufacture a perforated visor. FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the visor with a clear transparency tint inserted into the top portion of the perforated visor while FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of where the trim is to be placed. FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of a liner, clear transparency tint and trim to be used in a stacking procedure. FIG. 9 shows a bottom plan view of the liner inserted in the inside of the perforated visor. FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view showing a clear transparency tint with the image of two Cs inserted in the perforated portion of the visor. FIG. 11 shows a bottom plan view of the trim attached to the perimeter of the perforated portion of the visor. The last drawing, FIG. 12, shows the top elevational view of a completed perforated visor. The rear view of the hat has not been drawn because it is flat and unomamented.

FIG. 1 of the drawings shows the front elevational view of the perforated visor. The drawing shows how the circle is perforated through the visor, keeping the surface even. FIG. 1 also shows that the perforation does not disturb the shape or outline of the hat's visor.

FIG. 2 of the drawings shows the left side elevational view of the perforated visor. You will note that in FIG. 2 you are unable to see the perforated portion of the visor. This drawing shows that the size of the perforated circle allows plenty of room to have embroidery placed on all remaining unperforated portions of the visor. This will complement the design of the perforation, thus adding to the benefit of having a perforated visor.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows the right side elevational view of the perforated visor. You can clearly see the perforated circle in this drawing. FIG. 3 shows that the perforation is placed in a section of the visor so that the perforation does not cut into the visor's edges. The perforation is placed at a spot where the logo or design will easily reflect onto a person's body or clothing. This drawing also shows that the perforation is done onto a hat's visor, leaving the rest of the hat's design undisturbed. This is yet another benefit of the perforated visor.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows the top plan view of the perforated visor. In FIG. 4 you are able to see that the perforation goes completely through the top, middle and bottom portions of the visor. You will also note that the perforation is cut cleanly through the visor, leaving the cut portion smooth, with no jagged edges. FIG. 4 also shows that the perforated portion of the visor does not disturb the stitching in the visor which keeps all portions together. This allows the hat to retain it's most basic function of shielding a person's face from the elements of weather.

FIG. 5 of the drawings shows the bottom plan view of the perforated visor. As in FIG. 4, the bottom drawing also shows that the perforation goes cleanly through all portions of the visor. FIG. 5 also shows that the visor's shape and stitching have remained intact after the actual perforation is completed.

When manufacturing a perforated visor, you must first start with a hat that has a visor. Place the visor of the hat onto a die-cutting machine's plate so that the perforation will be ⅜ of an inch away from the visor's outer edges. Insert the die (in this case a circle) into it's slot of the die-cutting machine. Press the lever of the die-cutting machine down firmly so that the die goes completely through the hat's visor. The perforation should be ⅜ of an inch away from the visor's edge. Once this is done, the hat will have the circular shape cut completely and cleanly through the visor of the hat as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing.

Next, you will need to open up the portion of the visor around the perforated circle only by removing the thread sewn into it. Only the area near the perforation has to be thread free, the remaining portion of the visor should remain undisturbed. The thread should be only be removed ⅜ of an inch from the perimeter of the perforated circle which can be seen in FIG. 10 of the drawings.

FIG. 6 shows step 3, placing a clear transparency tint underneath the top material of the perforated circle. In this drawing the tinting material is shown where it is placed between the top layer of material and the inner portion of the visor. The tinting material must be circular in shape and larger than the perforated area of the visor. Once inserted, the tint will be seen in the middle of the perforated circle only. Inserting the tinting material serves the purpose of providing protection to a person's face from outside weather elements as well as protecting the image on the second tint shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. This step eliminates the possibility of a person smudging or removing the design, wording, numbers, logo or image from the second tint. Once the material is in place it is sealed using a clear fabric glue.

Step 4 is to seal and complete the perforated circle on the top of the visor, which FIG. 7 of the drawing shows. Use a flexible material for a trim. Lay the trim along the perimeter of the perforated circle and use a clear fabric glue to keep it in place. Having a trim eliminates the possibility of someone trying to loosen or remove the clear transparency tint that was placed atop the perforation in step 3. Adding a trim also draws a person's eye to the design the circle perforation.

FIG. 8 of the drawings shows a bottom plan view of a stacking procedure that will need to take place next. The drawing shows that for this to be done, you will need a liner, next a clear transparency tint and lastly a bottom trim. FIG. 8 also shows that all three items are the exact shape and size of the perforated circle. The following steps will describe how this is to be done.

FIG. 9 of the drawings shows the bottom plan view of the perforated visor where a lining is placed along the inside of the perforated circle. This is step 5 of the procedure. The liner is a flexible material that can be shaped into a circle and can be any color. The lining must also be thin enough as to not disturb the shape and surface of the visor. The lining is placed on the bottom of the clear transparency tint shown in FIG. 6 and along the perforated circle's edges. Once the lining is in place, secure it by using a clear fabric glue. The lining serves a dual purpose of sealing in the inner perforated portion of the visor as well as serving as a bridge for the final tinting material that is shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. The inner portion of the perforated visor is sealed so there will be no threat of a person cutting their fingers along the perforated circle's inner edges.

Step 6 is to place a second clear transparency tint on top of the liner mentioned in step 5. FIG. 10 of the drawings is a bottom plan view showing this. Unlike the tint shown in FIG. 6, this one is the exact shape and size of the circle perforated into the visor. This tint will have the design, word, logo, image or number placed onto it which will reflect onto a person's body or clothing. This is a great way to wear one's name, picture, team, religion or zodiac sign in a new way that is both stylish and appeasing to a person's eye. The possibilities of reflected images are endless and many are named in the claim portion of this application. The printed side of the tint is placed face up onto the lining shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. By placing the tint face up it protects the image from being smudged or destroyed by a person or outside elements, thus preserving the image. Once the tint is in place, it is secured to the liner using a clear fabric glue.

If a person simply wants a circle unadorned of an image, design, word, number or logo to reflect onto their body or clothing, a clear transparency tint showing no design, wording, numbering, image or logo is inserted in step 5 of this process. The tint can be clear or colored to meet the needs of the consumer. By doing this a circle shape is reflected onto a person's body or clothing.

FIG. 11 of the drawings shows the final step of the process, to simply add a trim around the perforated circle on the bottom portion of the visor. This procedure has been described in step 3. The trim is secured by using a clear fabric glue. The trim should be flexible enough to be manipulated into the circular shape of the perforation. Place the trim at the bottom portion of the visor and secure it using a clear fabric glue. This completes the process of perforating a circle onto the visor of a hat.

FIG. 12 is the final drawing. It shows the end result of the process of manufacturing a perforated hat visor. You are able to see the top trim, the clear transparency tint mentioned in step 2 as well as the clear transparency tint mentioned in step 6. FIG. 12 shows us that the image of the two Cs are shown in their correct position. If someone wears this visor the Cs will be reflected either onto their face or clothing. FIG. 12 also shows that perforated visor is an article of manufacture that has not been done until now. It shows Perforated Visors is an invention that draws attention, is stylish and is appeasing to the eye. Another benefit of this drawing is that it gives one the visualization of how other images can be placed into the perforated circle and be projected.

Once patented, one example of how I intend to use my invention is to get the endorsement of different sporting teams to perforate their team's name, pictures of team players and team logos onto various styles of hat visors. For example, if endorsed, I would be able to perforate the word “Titans” onto the visors of Tennessee Titans hats. I would also be able to manufacture a visor with the Tennessee Titan logo placed onto a tinting material place inside the perforated portion the visor. Another option is insert a clear transparency tint with the image of an Titan football player into a circle perforated into a visor. These three examples will allow the word “Titans”, the team's logo or a team member's picture to reflect onto a person's body or clothing. This will give the hats a new and unique style that will be beneficial to sporting teams as well as the sports fans. 

1. A perforated projection visor with perforations comprising: a) any numerals including but not limited to: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 in any order, b) any roman numeral including but not limited to: I,V,X,C,M in any order, c) any upper case lettering including but not limited to: A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P, Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z in any order, d) any under case lettering including but not limited to: a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,ij,k,l,m,o,p,q,r,s,t,u, v,w,x,y,z in any order, e) any lettering and symbols used in any foreign language, known or foreign, f) any symbols used in sign language for the hearing impaired, known or foreign, g) any shape or symbol that may be unintelligible, h) any shapes in any form including but not limited to: circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, ovals, stars, moons, diamonds, hexagons, octagons, hearts, known or foreign, i) any animal shapes found in nature or drawings, known or foreign, j) any plant shapes found in nature or drawings, known or foreign, k) any insect shapes found in nature or drawings, known or foreign, l) any automobile shapes man made or found in drawings, known or foreign, m) any persons found in nature or drawings, known or foreign, n) any logos found in any kinds of groups including but not limited to: sports, military, sororities, fraternities, churches, social clubs, schools, clothing designers, business organizations, political organizations, musical groups, automobile organizations, food industries, o) any mascots found in any kinds of groups including but not limited to: sports, military, sororities, fraternities, churches, social clubs, schools, clothing designers, business organizations, political organizations, musical groups, automobile organizations, food industries, p) any patterns including but not limited to: stripes, polka dots, checkers, plaids, floral, animals, q) any cartoon characters known or foreign, r) any abbreviated words or symbols including but not limited to: etc., misc., pllc., s) any symbols used in astrology known or foreign, t) any shapes or symbols used for the solar system, known or foreign, u) any symbols used for water, known or foreign, v) any symbols used for fire, known or foreign, w) any symbols used for earth or dirt, known or foreign, x) any symbols used for air, known or foreign, y) any symbols or words known or foreign, used for signs of the zodiac including but not limited to: Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Gemini, z) any symbols used in punctuation including but not limited to: .,<,>,?,/,;,:,′,″,[,],{,},\,|,=,+, −, _,),(,*,&, ̂,%,$,#,@,!,′,˜, aa) any shapes or symbols used for residential and commercial buildings, known or foreign, bb) any shapes or symbols found in music, known or foreign, cc) any musical instrument known or foreign, dd) pictures of any type of objects known or foreign, ee) any flag designs known or foreign,
 2. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein perforations comprises: a) any left side portion of the visor, b) any middle portion of the visor, c) any right side portion of the visor, d) any rim part of the visor, e) any total portion of the visor, f) any portion of the visor's edges that may form wordings, numbering, designs or logo
 3. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein the perforation is: a) any small sized perforation, b) any medium sized perforation, c) any large sized perforation, d) any perforation using the total portion of the visor,
 4. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein the manufacturing of the visor is done using: a) any perforation is done using any type of knife, b) any perforation is done using any type of scissors, c) any perforation is done using any type of box cutter, d) any perforation is done using any type of saw, e) any perforation is done using any type of laser, f) any perforation is done using any type of die, g) any perforation is done using any sharp object, known or foreign,
 5. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein the manufacturing of the visor is done using: a) any type of sealant material is used on the perforated visor,
 6. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein the manufacturing of the visor is done using: a) any type of material used to act as a liner along the inner edges of the perforation, b) any type of material is used to act as a trim on any portion of the visor,
 7. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein the manufacturing of the visor is done using: a) any clear tinting material, b) any colored tinting material, c) any tinting material of any thickness, d) any tinting material of any density, e) any tinting material of any shape, f) any tinting material of any design,
 8. A perforated visor as in claim 1 wherein the visor is comprising: a) any baseball hat, b) any cowboy hat, c) any golf hat, d) any designed hat, whether used for sporting reasons or otherwise, e) any hat visor, f) any brimmed hat, g) any hat with a bib or brim of any material, h) any visor with a bib or brim of any material. 